The Holy See has reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding the sanctity and dignity of every human life, calling for the universal abolition of the death penalty during the 2025 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.
Speaking at the plenary session on the rule of law, Msgr. Lucas Marabese, Deputy Head of Mission of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), underscored that human dignity, bestowed by God, remains inviolable from conception to natural death.
He condemned all forms of torture, physical and psychological torment, and any attempt to manipulate or coerce the human will, reaffirming the Church’s categorical rejection of inhumane treatment.
“The absolute exclusion of torture is not open to negotiation,” Msgr. Marabese stated, referencing international human rights conventions that enshrine this principle.
He also urged justice systems to pursue truth while maintaining fairness, stressing that legal processes must always respect the inherent worth and rights of the accused.
“Institutions entrusted with establishing criminal responsibility should ensure that proceedings are conducted with full respect for the dignity of the human person,” he said.
Turning to capital punishment, the Holy See’s representative acknowledged its historical roots but highlighted the moral and social evolution that has rendered it incompatible with modern conceptions of justice and human rights. He noted that penal systems today are capable of safeguarding society without denying offenders the chance for redemption.
“Bearing this in mind, the Holy See considers the death penalty excluded because it is an attack on the sacredness and dignity of the person,” Msgr. Marabese declared. “Therefore, it will continue to press with determination for its abolition worldwide.”
The intervention reaffirmed the Vatican’s long-standing position that the protection of human life and dignity must remain central to every legal and political system.
